[gearbanger]

Will do!

[6567GTO]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Mr. GTO-
This has been a good thread. I look forward to hearing fromyou when you are ready. as it relates to your Hyd vs. mech clutch question, make usre to discuss that in detail with us before deciding. In our experience there are some installation challenges with the hydraulic clutch route + it is an added expense. I am not convinced that there is a great benefit (if any) to going with a hydraulic set up especially when you consider the hassle and cost. With that said, we offer both options and you can go with whichever you prefer. On both of my cars with TKO's, I am using thestock mechanical linkage and I am very happy with both of them.

gearbanger
Thanks for the order - I think you will be happy with your new Tremec and the McLeod shifter. Be sure to share your thoughts on how the install goes as well as how you like the transmission.

Jeff Mortenson
Classic Chevy 5-Speed
760.230.2045
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Jeff, If I were to go to a hydraulic setup what would be involved? Are there any major mods that need to be done to the trans? The reason I may go to a hyd is because I have a RAM clutch that I'm probably going to install next that is a brute to push. What clutches are the Big Block Chevelle guys using?

gearbanger, That's awesome! Glad you ordered one thru Classic Chevy man. They're great to work and deal with. Additionally, if I can be of any help, email me and I'll try to answer any questions.

Phil

[gearbanger]

6567GTO

You have already been a big help by getting on here and posting your pictures and information. That is the best thing forum members can do is post pictures and info about their projects. I have been able to do so much research on here already and when I saw your setup, I knew that was the ticket.

I'll post some pics as I go and thanks again!

[Jim Doran]

I was behind the scenes pushing Phil to install the Tremec upgrade after he grenaded his supercase m21. I really thought it was the better approach for a street car rather than go the easy Turbo 400 route and loose the dynamics of rowing the gears. In reality it was a covert attempt to get him to vet out the install into a 65 GTO so that I can benefit in the future.

[jeffmort]

Jim-
If I understood correctly, is that a picture of Phil after winning a burnout contest with his new Tremec TKO?

Gearbanger-
As I promised Jim and some others, I will be making a crossmember for the GTO/Chevelle application (both convertible and hardtop). In fact, I have my first protoype made up - it was actually made for the 64-67 Chevelle hardtop. I have compared it to a 64-67 GTO xmemberr and it seems to be basically the same (same bends, same width, etc.). Would you be interested in doing a test fit for me? If so, you would need to do your install soon as well as provide pictures and detailed feedback to let me know if it works as is, if it needs a few tweaks, or if it doesn't fit at all (which is not likely but possible). Let me know if you are interseted.

Phil/Mr_GTO-
The challenges with the Hydraulic clutch option are these:
1) Mounting the master cylinder. If you have power brakes (power brake booster) it is very difficult to find a place to mount your clutch master cylinder as the power booster is in the way.

2) If you go the Hyd TO bearing route, these bearings tend to develop leaks if they are not frequently used. A lot of guys don't drive their muscle cars regularly. If you get a leak, that means pulling your trans to replace the damaged parts (clutch disc, bearing, etc.). I have heard of leaking TO bearings to many times already.

3) If you go the slave cylinder route (instead of Hyd. TO bearing). You will need to fabricate and weld a simple bracket to your bellhousing to mount your slave cylinder. You can't weld to a stcok GM bell but you can weld to a steel scattershield, so if you have a stock bell you will need to develop a more involved mounting system.

4) Geometery and alignment issues can be a pain in the neck. You need to properly align your master cylinder push rod between the mc and your clutch pedal - often times it is neccessary to relocate (drill) a new hole in your clutch pedal to reposition the push rod. The same concern applies to the slave cylinder alignment. An improperly installed hyd set up will have a harder pedal effort than a standard mech linkage set up.

5) A properly working mechanical linkage set up is not much harder on thepedal effort than a hyd set up and a lot of people prefer the "feel" of the mechanical set up.

6) If it matters, mecahincal linkage is least expensive, master/slave is in the midle, and master/Hyd TO bearing is most expensvie.

It is for these reasons, that my personal preference is for mechanical linkage but if I did go hydraulic I would go the master/slave route. Just take the time to learn as much as you can about how to install one of these set-ups and be prepared to run into issues during the install.

[6567GTO]

Excellent info on hydraulic TO bearing setups Jeff. Food for thought
Thanks

[Tripower455]

What does the McLeod offset shifter cost? I'd really like to use the console with my Tremec..

The shifter that the resto shop got from Tremec is offet, but sits up kind of high.



I am also interested in a convertible crossmember, as I am not entirely satisfied with the way they set mine up.... No provision for absorbing shock ......

[jeffmort]

Tripower455-
We helped McLeod design their shifter so that it would be a low enough to fit underneath thestock console of GTO's and Chevelles.
The price is $295 when purchased as part of our kit and $350 if purchased individually.

Actually, I think your crossmember looks fine. Almost every other car (Camaro, Chevelle, Firebird, etc.) has the crossmember mounted directly to the frame rail just as yours is. The GTO is the only car I have seen that uses the rubber insulator. I have made the decision to make our custom GTO crossmembers so that they mount directly to the frame rail (as your does) without using the rubber mount. It would have been nice if they could have picked up two bolts per side instead of just one.

[Tripower455]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jeff Mortenson:
Tripower455-
We helped McLeod design their shifter so that it would be a low enough to fit underneath thestock console of GTO's and Chevelles.
The price is $295 when purchased as part of our kit and $350 if purchased individually.

Actually, I think your crossmember looks fine. Almost every other car (Camaro, Chevelle, Firebird, etc.) has the crossmember mounted directly to the frame rail just as yours is. The GTO is the only car I have seen that uses the rubber insulator. I have made the decision to make our custom GTO crossmembers so that they mount directly to the frame rail (as your does) without using the rubber mount. It would have been nice if they could have picked up two bolts per side instead of just one. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the quick reply Jeff!

I think they were worried about weakening the crossmember too much with the extra hole. I might pull it out and reweld a larger piece on it to allow for 2 holes.

Do you have the shifters in stock?

[6567GTO]

Sweet looking car you have there Tripower455. Your car looks great with the modern touches. One area my 65 is lacking is the dash and column. Hopefully this winter (been saying that for a few now) I'll send my dash/column/steering wheel out for restoration.

I think you guys will be real happy with the offset shifter Jeff offers.

gearbanger - glad I was able to help you make some decisions!

[Tripower455]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by 6567GTO:
Sweet looking car you have there Tripower455. Your car looks great with the modern touches. One area my 65 is lacking is the dash and column. Hopefully this winter (been saying that for a few now) I'll send my dash/column/steering wheel out for restoration.

I think you guys will be real happy with the offset shifter Jeff offers.

gearbanger - glad I was able to help you make some decisions! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks! Your's is awesome too!

[jeffmort]

Tripower-
We do have them in stock.

[Tripower455]

I'll give you a shout tomorrow......

[AG]

6567GTO:

Have you tried your console in your car yet? I have a TKO600 for my '65 that I haven't put in yet and after measuring the location of the stock '65 Hurst shifter on the Muncie and the position of the rearward monted stock shifter on the Tremec, the Tremec needs to go 2.75" to the left and forward 1.5" to be in the same position as the Muncie location. I just want to be sure before I order the offset shifter.

[jeffmort]

You will need the 2" offset shifter in order to fit within your console.

[AG]

Jeff,
I just want to talk to someone who has actually used it in a '65 to make sure it works before I order one. My measurements say the shifter needs to go 2.75" to the left and 1.5" forward from the stock rear shifter position on the Tremec as compared to a stock '65 shifter on a Muncie.

[6567GTO]

No AG, not yet. My car was at a shop till today. I'll have to dig it out and see if it lines up properly. If you're looking for an exact position, I'll have to remove my aftermarket shifter boot to get that close.

[jeffmort]

AG-
As an FYI, the McLeod shifter can be built with multiple offsets (over and forward, over and back, etc.).
Also, keep in mind that the Mcleod 2" offset (that seems to work best for 64-67 GTO's/Chevelles) has its shift stub center line at 2" left. If you bolt your shift stick on the right side of the stub, the center of your shift stick will actually be 1 5/8" to the left. If you bolt you stick to the left side of the stub, your shift stick will be centered 2 3/8" to the left.

Once over to the left, you can order your shifter to be a direct left offset or a left/forward or left/backward. You can go forward or backward from either of the two rear Tremec mounting positions by 3/8", 3/4", 1", 1 3/8".

You can just about position the stick wherever you would like with the Mcleod shifter - you just have to ask for it.

[Silver Judge]

This thread is loaded with all kinds of very helpful info, thanks to all that have contributed.
I've heard nothing but good about the Tremec TKO600 model. What can a guy do that has a 70 A-body car with no console ? Every install I'm aware of on A-body cars involves "hiding" the top of the floor pan mods with a console

[Tom McQueen]

The McLeod 2" offset shifter came today. I will get it installed in the next few days and post pictures of how it fits in my 70 GTO with factory console.